Open displays of racism from America’s politicians are becoming increasingly common – the latest being from Republican Congressman Clay Higgins, who lashed out at Haitians. In response to media reports that a non-profit organisation is pursuing criminal charges against Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance over racist and bogus claims about Haitians eating pets, he took to X to post this vile message.
There was an immediate backlash, including from members of the Congressional Black Caucus, prompting Higgins to delete his message hours later. However, the apparent change of heart was only momentarily as, not long after, the politician was on CNN defending his post, claiming everything he said was true and that he was merely exercising his freedom of speech.
It’s not the first time that Haitians have been targeted by Trump and his followers. In 2018, while serving as US President, he referred to Haiti and other African nations as ‘sh*thole countries.’
What these racists fail to acknowledge, however, is the fact that most of the problems that the island nation faces today are a result of imperial exploitation by Western countries such as the US and France. The US occupied and pillaged Haiti from 1915 to 1934. Prior to that, the country was forced to pay France for the 1791 revolution that ended French slavery on the Island. A 2022 report by the New York Times said the amount paid out was equivalent to $115 billion in today’s money.
Before vomiting up racist diatribes against Haiti, the likes of Trump and Higgins should grab a book – but, of course, facts mean nothing to racists.